Originally Posted by BillScann
From the
website :
On the 4th of July 2002, John Gilmore, American citizen, decided to take a trip from one part of the United States of America to another. He went to Oakland International Airport -- ticket in hand -- and was told he had to produce his ID if he wanted to travel. He asked to see the law demanding he show his 'papers' and was told after a time that the law was secret and no, he wouldn't be allowed to read it.
He hasn't flown in his own country since.
On the 16th of August 2004, John Gilmore will file his case before the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals. At stake is nothing less than the right of Americans to travel anonymously in their own country -- and the exposure of 'secret law' for what it is: an abomination.
There is a Supreme Court decision that stated one must submit ID to a LEO upon lawful request. That, however, does not explain the checkpoint at an airport.
That explanation is one of consent. You consent to provide an ID in order to travel by air, a right not guaranteed by the Constitution nor the Bill of Rights. You have the right to travel but not the right to travel in the method you choose. In order to do so you must provide an ID. If you do not then you are not penalized/punished in any criminal matter so it is not a civil liberty issue.
You do have the right to travel anonymously in this country. You just do not have the right to travel so by airplane.